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MO.gov News FeedFri, 18 Aug 2017 04:53:38 +0000en-usSenator Dave Schatz Releases Report Showing Where the Show-Me State Can Find Substantial Savingshttp://www.senate.mo.gov/senator-dave-schatz-releases-report-showing-where-the-show-me-state-can-find-substantial-savings/
http://www.senate.mo.gov/?p=26386Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:00:58 +0000 Jefferson City —This week, State Sen. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, released a report that is a culmination of months of researchYouth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Model Policyhttps://dese.mo.gov/content/youth-suicide-awareness-and-prevention-model-policy
13396 at https://dese.mo.govThu, 17 Aug 2017 08:53:01 +0000Memo Date: 08/18/2017Memo Number: CCR-18-006Admin Memo: CCR-18-006.pdfOffice: College and Career ReadinessDisplay on Page: Administrative Memo IndexEditorial Section: GuidanceTrauma-Informed Schools Initiativehttps://dese.mo.gov/content/trauma-informed-schools-initiative
13391 at https://dese.mo.govThu, 17 Aug 2017 08:51:07 +0000Memo Date: 08/18/2017Memo Number: CCR-18-005Admin Memo: CCR-18-005.pdfOffice: College and Career ReadinessSection: College ReadinessDisplay on Page: Administrative Memo IndexEditorial Section: GuidanceState Emergency Operations Center will open as part of state’s coordinated eclipse response planhttp://dps.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/132f2f84-42d4-4aa6-9b65-f1e5ee5ae56d
http://dps.mo.gov/news/newsitem/uuid/132f2f84-42d4-4aa6-9b65-f1e5ee5ae56dWed, 16 Aug 2017 19:00:00 +0000Missouri State Emergency Operations Center will be staffed by key state response partner agencies beginning FridayAG Hawley Urges Congress to Amend Sex Trafficking Lawhttps://ago.mo.gov/home/ag-hawley-urges-congress-to-amend-sex-trafficking-law
urn:uuid:9059bc14-ad6b-6a5c-bcc3-ff000082a1acWed, 16 Aug 2017 17:40:06 +0000Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley joined 49 other state and territorial attorneys general in a bi-partisan coalition urging Congress to affirm that all law-enforcement agencies retain their traditional authority to fight sex trafficking. In a letter to Congress, the attorneys general ask representatives to amend the Communications Decency Act (CDA) to clarify that the statute does not preempt state and territorial criminal laws. The simple revision proposed in the letter would ensure that federal law does not inadvertently interfere with the prosecution of sex trafficking and other serious crimes by state and local law enforcement. “Human trafficking is the third largest criminal industry in the world--and the fastest growing,” Hawley said. “The broad coalition of attorneys general signing this letter affirm that state and local officials have a duty to fight the scourge of trafficking, and that federal law should not get in the way of those efforts.”
As the letter explains, in passing the CDA, Congress did not intend to place online facilitators and promoters of human trafficking beyond the reach of state and local law enforcement. Nevertheless, some courts have interpreted the CDA broadly to preempt certain state-law actions, including those brought against Backpage.com, whose role in human trafficking is subject to an ongoing investigation by Attorney General Hawley. “Federal enforcement alone has proved insufficient to stem the growth in online promotion of child sex trafficking. Those on the front lines of the battle against the sexual exploitation of children – state and local law enforcement – must have clear authority to investigate and prosecute facilitators of these and other horrible crimes,” reads the letter, which was led by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine. In a separate letter to Congress, Attorney General Hawley emphasized that, even under the CDA’s current text, the statute does not preempt state-law actions against websites that actively participate in illegal activity, such as by soliciting, creating, or promoting illegal content. As Attorney General Hawley explained, extensive evidence gathered by his ongoing investigation of Backpage.com has revealed that Backpage plays an active and direct role in the illegal content featured on its website, and thus Backpage cannot rely on the CDA’s protections, even absent the revisions proposed by the multistate letter. The multistate letter is available here. Eye Safety is Critical during Upcoming Eclipse http://health.mo.gov/information/news/2017/eclipse81617
http://health.mo.gov/information/news/2017/eclipse81617Wed, 16 Aug 2017 16:49:14 +0000 JEFFERSON CITY, MO - On August 21st, people will gather from coast to coast to view a rare solar eclipse, especially in Missouri. The state will offer some of the best vantage points in the nation for witnessing this historic event. A 50-70 mile wide path of totality stretches from northwest to southeast Missouri. These areas will experience the longest periods of darkness in the country on Monday afternoon. Depending on your location, the eclipse should begin between 11:30 am and 12 noon, and last until 2:30-3:00 pm central time.
State and local agencies are coordinating efforts to ensure everyone has a safe viewing experience. Residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to follow all safety precautions for viewing the solar eclipse.
"There are a number of precautions you need to follow regarding eye safety," said Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Dr. Randall Williams. "Looking directly at the sun during most parts of an eclipse can permanently damage your vision or blind you, but there are easy ways to view a solar eclipse safely, such as through eclipse glasses or pinhole projectors. Adults should take special care to help protect the eyes of children during this event."
Outside of totality, the only safe way to safely look directly at the sun, during an eclipse or at any other time is through special-purpose solar filters. These solar filters are used in "eclipse glasses" or in hand-held solar viewers. They must meet a very specific worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2. Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, or homemade filters are not safe for looking at the sun.
Individuals who do not take proper precautions run the risk of damaging their retinas or possibly causing blindness. In areas outside the path of totality, where only part of the sun is blocked even at the peak of the eclipse, there is no safe time to look at the sun with the naked eye. Viewers must protect their eyes while watching the entire eclipse.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends the following steps for safely watching a solar eclipse:
Carefully look at your solar filter or eclipse glasses before using them. If you see any scratches or damage, do not use them.
Always read and follow all directions that come with the solar filter or eclipse glasses. Help children to be sure they use handheld solar viewers and eclipse glasses correctly.
Before looking up at the bright sun, stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter-do not remove it while looking at the sun.
The only time that you can look at the sun without a solar viewer is during a total eclipse. When the moon completely covers the sun's bright face and it suddenly gets dark, you can remove your solar filter to watch this unique experience. Then, as soon as the bright sun begins to reappear very slightly, immediately use your solar viewer again to watch the remaining partial phase of the eclipse.
Never look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or other similar devices. This is important even if you are wearing eclipse glasses or holding a solar viewer at the same time. The intense solar rays coming through these devices will damage the solar filter and your eyes. Your camera, telescope or binoculars could also be damaged.
For information about where to get the proper eyewear or handheld viewers, check out the American Astronomical Society at https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/eyewear-viewers.
Safety precautions are also necessary if you are hoping to photograph the eclipse with your cellphone or camera. Cellphone users should consider taking photos when the sun is entirely covered by the moon, not before or after as it could damage the phone's camera. Camera owners may take photos before or after the period of totality if they have a special solar camera filter to protect their camera from damage. Expert astronomers are the best source of information on the use of a special solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device.
AAO also points out that another way to see the eclipse is through a pinhole projection, which projects an image of the sun onto another surface, like paper, a wall or pavement. The image of the sun is safe to look at throughout the eclipse. More information on pinhole projectors and safe-viewing devices can be found at https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/how-to-make-a-pinhole-camera/.
For more information about eclipse viewing safety and other information related to the event, please visit https://www.mo.gov/eclipse/.Auditor Galloway issues progress report for Wright County Collector's office https://www.auditor.mo.gov/content/auditor-galloway-issues-progress-report-wright-county-collectors-office
4001 at https://www.auditor.mo.govWed, 16 Aug 2017 15:00:01 +0000August 17, 2017Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has released a progress report on the office of the Wright County Collector, located in southern Missouri. The latest report shows progress after an audit identified numerous inappropriate and fraudulent activities by former Wright County Collector Cynthia Cottengim.
"My review found Wright County and the current collector have successfully instituted a number of safeguards to better protect public dollars," Auditor Galloway said. "The unfortunate revelations of last year have resulted in necessary changes."Gov. Greitens Appoints George Wolf as Circuit Judge for Jackson Countyhttps://governor.mo.gov/news/archive/gov-greitens-appoints-george-wolf-circuit-judge-jackson-county
24c7dcc0-0639-4487-82d0-47091f572a47Wed, 16 Aug 2017 14:30:00 +0000Gov. Eric Greitens has appointed George E. Wolf of Kansas City as Circuit Court Judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit, which covers Jackson County. Wolf will replace Judge Brent Powell, whom Governor Greitens appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court earlier this year.Auditor Galloway recommends increased oversight in Livingston County Courthttps://www.auditor.mo.gov/content/auditor-galloway-recommends-increased-oversight-livingston-county-court
3996 at https://www.auditor.mo.govWed, 16 Aug 2017 14:12:18 +0000August 17, 2017Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has released an audit of the Livingston County Circuit Court, located in northwestern Missouri.
"The Livingston County Court serves as the seat of justice for the area and must be able to serve these citizens efficiently and fairly," Auditor Galloway said. "My audit includes recommendations to enhance oversight and improve processes, allowing the court to better meet the needs of the community."MDC invites youth to free dove clinic and hunt at Prairie Fork Conservation Areahttps://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-invites-youth-free-dove-clinic-and-hunt-prairie-fork-conservation-area
15115 at https://mdc.mo.govWed, 16 Aug 2017 08:19:42 +0000Prevailing Wage Data – Senate Interim Committee on Labor Reformhttp://www.senate.mo.gov/prevailing-wage-data-senate-interim-committee-on-labor-reform/
http://www.senate.mo.gov/?p=26373Tue, 15 Aug 2017 16:02:15 +0000My office and I have prepared the following information to assist the Interim Committee on Labor Reform with its study of Missouri’s Prevailing Wage Law.Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over This i s real life.http://www.modot.org/newsandinfo/District0News.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=212488
http://www.modot.org/newsandinfo/District0News.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=212488Tue, 15 Aug 2017 14:38:00 +0000Missouri’s job growth outpaces the nation; DED releases July 2017 Jobs Reporthttps://ded.mo.gov/content/missouri%E2%80%99s-job-growth-outpaces-nation-ded-releases-july-2017-jobs-report
7431 at https://ded.mo.govTue, 15 Aug 2017 14:29:13 +0000August 15, 2017JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – According to seasonally adjusted data released today by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the state’s unemployment rate for July was 3.8 percent. July’s rate represents a significant improvement over this time last year. It is a whole percentage point lower than it was in 2016 and three percentage points lower than it was in July 2012.
Over the month, Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment grew by 14,100 jobs.Ashcroft Announces Initiative Petition Amending Chapters 192, 195, 263, and 311 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri Has Been Receivedhttp://www.sos.mo.gov/default.aspx?PageID=9162
http://www.sos.mo.gov/default.aspx?PageID=9162Tue, 15 Aug 2017 14:08:00 +0000For immediate release: August 15, 2017Contact: Maura Browning, (573) 526-0949
Ashcroft Announces Initiative Petition Amending Chapters 192, 195, 263, and 311 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri Has Been Received
Jefferson City, Mo. — Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft today announced his office receThe Missouri Senate Minute for Aug. 15: SB 66http://www.senate.mo.gov/the-missouri-senate-minute/
http://www.senate.mo.gov/?p=26370Tue, 15 Aug 2017 11:37:02 +0000JEFFERSON CITY — Among the measures set to become law later this month is Senate Bill 66, which will modify provisions of law relating to workers’